The 1998 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Democratic governor Zell Miller was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, therefore creating an open seat. To replace him, State Representative Roy Barnes won the Democratic Party's nomination after a close and highly contested primary election, while businessman Guy Millner, who had run for governor and the United States Senate in the previous four years, won the nomination of the Republican Party.
In the general election, Barnes was able to defeat Millner by a margin of victory larger than Governor Miller's victory over Millner four years prior, which was in part due to the unpopularity and controversy of Mitch Skandalakis, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. As of , this is the most recent time a Democrat was elected Governor of Georgia.
Democratic primary
Candidates Roy Barnes, State Representative from Marietta Lewis A. Massey, Georgia Secretary of State David Poythress, Georgia Commissioner of Labor Steve Langford, Georgia state senator from LaGrange Morris James Carlton Myers, Pine Mountain veterinarian and candidate for Senate in 1974
Results
Runoff results
Republican primary
Candidates Guy Millner, 1996 Republican nominee for the United States Senate, 1994 Republican nominee for Governor of Georgia, businessman Mike Bowers, Attorney General of Georgia Nancy Schaefer, 1994 Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Bruce Hatfield
Campaign Bowers's campaign was derailed when he admitted to a fifteen-year extramarital affair with Anne Davis, his secretary and a former Playboy Club waitress. Davis publicly stated that the romance had been active as recently as April 1997, six weeks prior to Bowers' June 5 announcement. Our Georgia History
Results
Millner narrowly avoided a run-off by just 1,573 votes. However, Bowers conceded before a recount finalized the result, admitting that all indications pointed to a victory for Millner."National News Briefs; Republican Concedes in Georgia Primary", The New York Times, July 29, 1998.
General election
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RoyBarnes (D) GuyMillner (R) UndecidedMason DixonOctober 26–28, 1998809 (LV)± 3.5%43%46%11%Mason DixonOctober 5–6, 1998807 (LV)± 3.5%42%45%13%Marketing WorkshopSeptember 26–29, 1998690 (RV)± 3.7%41%47%12%Mason DixonSeptember 5–8, 1998829 (LV)± 3.5%41%42%17%Mason DixonJuly 13–15, 1998828 (LV)± 3.5%39%45%16%Mason DixonJune 20–23, 1998807 (V)± 3.5%33%42%25%
Results
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites (archived) Roy Barnes (D) for Governor Guy Millner (R) for Governor